Holly Chandler, Peanut’s adoring owner, said the Chihuahua-Shitzu mixed breed was seriously hurt as a puppy – and she now intends to use the $1,500 (£882) prize money to pay for other animals’ vet bills.

Peanut beat 30 other ugly pooches to the top spot at the contest held at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma, California.

He is the 26th mutt to have been crowned in the contest which has run for as many years.

The prize money will pay for animals’ vet bills (AFP/Getty)

The dogs are scored by a panel of three judges who give them marks in several categories, including special or unusual attributes, personality and natural ugliness.

Past winners include a beagle with duckfeet, a waddling boxer and basset hound mix and a Chihuahua with a camel-like back.